Week #43 update

With the stack of items on my TODO list dropping each week I've finally gotten around to adding 1983/classic mode to the game. What are these rules? Both Lode Runner: The Legend Returns and Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks' Revenge had a few differences in gameplay over Doug Smith's excellent Original Lode Runner (which you can read below).

A while ago we added options to tinker with your game (see "New Game Options") with a 1983/classic mode being one of them. Up until now it has only been a toggle. Special thanks to Jeffrey for the idea and giving me a list of differences.

A name in parenthesis and in bold is the finder of the bug/quirk. Thanks to all, I really do appreciate your time and support. Cheers!

Game

  • fixed monks getting stuck when crossing onto a ladder
  • fixed monks getting stuck when running towards another monk and reaching the same spot (Howie, Gareth)
  • tweaked monks choosing a runner to chase to stop them going back and forth;
  • doesn't quite match the Original
  • isn't perfect
  • if you save your game during the pause at the start and then quit, you won't be prompted to save again
  • 1983/classic mode; (Jeffrey)
  • added pre-game pause regardless if runners start in the air
  • you can press the down key to fall when standing on a monk
  • falling monks can eat runners (they are immune in MMR)
  • monks can collect gold while falling
  • monks can climb out of holes regardless if a runner is standing on top
  • monks without entry doors will now regenerate into the puzzle the same as 1983
  • players no longer snap to the block hit when running in goo;
  • they stop smoothly depending on animation frame
  • matches the Original more closely
  • fixed bug that did not show cut-scenes when restoring a game played in the official puzzle set

General

  • sound effect no longer plays when a scroll bar is at the start/end

Bugs being worked on

  • runners not entering exit doors (Howie)
  • some Windows machines not be able to detect LAN games (Steve)
  • machines with a different Windows on host/client are affected

What I'll probably do next week

  • improve restore game support in the lobby
  • improve monks deciding which runner to chase